1974 Les Paul Custom Non-Pancake Body?

urbanopolis · Jan 23, 2020

I have my eye on what is billed as a 74 Les Paul Custom. Serial number 533417. Research also puts it at 74 from a few Gibson serial calculators. How accurate those are I don't know?
Nontheless, this example does not have a pancake body. It has a 3 piece mahogany neck. Is this possible? or is this most likely mis-advertised?

Bob Womack · Jan 23, 2020

The three-piece mahogany neck is entirely possible. All Kalamazoo-built Les Pauls had three-piece mahogany necks in the '70s. It wasn't until Nashville began production in '76 (I think shipping records show one '75) that maple necks debuted. Big Al can speak to the non-pancake body. I personally never heard of one in '74.

Bob

Big Al · Jan 25, 2020

Not a 74. Please post flippin pics of the guitar, not small shots of one feature. Color is not a 74 Custom finish. Serial numbers can be faked and are not year specific in that era. The finish appears too clear and glossy too me as well as not typical Ebony or Ivory. Sunburst had sunburst back and sides.

Better pics of headstock, front and back would be helpful as well as top and body back shots. Anything is possible, but I have never seen a one piece body/hog neck from 70's stock models.

urbanopolis · Jan 25, 2020

Big Al said:
Not a 74. Please post flippin pics of the guitar, not small shots of one feature. Color is not a 74 Custom finish. Serial numbers can be faked and are not year specific in that era. The finish appears too clear and glossy too me as well as not typical Ebony or Ivory. Sunburst had sunburst back and sides.

Better pics of headstock, front and back would be helpful as well as top and body back shots. Anything is possible, but I have never seen a one piece body/hog neck from 70's stock models.

More pics... Changed tuners evidently and no fret edge binding nibs so a refret at minimum, no volute. Serial looks like a decal not stamped...etc. this can't be a 1974

urbanopolis · Jan 25, 2020

urbanopolis said:
More pics...

...and more

Wilko · Jan 26, 2020

urbanopolis said:
More pics... Changed tuners evidently and no fret edge binding nibs so a refret at minimum, no volute. Serial looks like a decal not stamped...etc. this can't be a 1974

It has a volute.

Serial number and Made in USA are stamped per early/mid 70s.

Looks like a refin. Note the exxtra sanding on the volute. (why did you say it doesn't have a volute?)

Logo and other details point to early 70s. Solid body, though rare, is not impossible.

Bob Womack · Jan 26, 2020

'73-'75 K-zoo LPs have what I call a "vestigial volute." It is smaller than this one. It's like Gibson wanted to quit the volute but simply couldn't brings themselves to. This one looks like a '72-era large volute that someone tried to reduce. An earlier date would make the one-piece body more understandable, but you have to understand that the early '70s LPs were an admixture of stuff. For instance, nylon saddles supposedly ended in the '60s but my '74 has them.

Bob

Big Al · Jan 26, 2020

DECAL?
NO VOLUTE?

I guess my eyes are too old. No i dot, looks legit, [it is a 'zoo Gibson], one piece body from that era is a first for me. Fret job is a plus, imo.

Triplet · Jan 27, 2020

An odd bird. One Dimarzio I can't make out the other one. Any original pots? Maybe a pot code could help.

guitplayer · Jan 27, 2020

Big Al said:
DECAL?
NO VOLUTE?

I guess my eyes are too old. No i dot, looks legit, [it is a 'zoo Gibson], one piece body from that era is a first for me. Fret job is a plus, imo.

:yah

1974 Les Paul Custom Non-Pancake Body?

urbanopolis

New member

Attachments

Bob Womack

Well-known member

Big Al

Well-known member

urbanopolis

New member

Attachments

urbanopolis

New member

Attachments

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass

Bob Womack

Well-known member

Big Al

Well-known member

Triplet

Well-known member

guitplayer

Well-known member